Drop track section



Jan. 19,1926.. 1,570,035

E. T. BEN N|NGTON DROP TRACK SECTION Filed Nov. 2s, '1924 nel.

IN ven-rail',

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Patented Jan. 19, 1926.

EARL T. BEN N INGTON, OF CLEVELAND HEI CRANE & ENGINEERING COMPANY,

OHIO.

GHTS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CLEVELAND F WICKLIFFE, OHIO, A CORPORATIONOF DROP TRACK SECTION.

Application illed November 28, 1924. Serial No. 752,685.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, EARL T. BENNINGTON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cleveland Heights, in the county of Cuyahoga and State ofOhio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Drop TrackSections, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

This invention relates to a drop track section for overhead carriertramrail systems which is adapted to receive a carrier from a fixedsection of a track and be lowered with the carrier thereon.

p An object of the present invention is to provide improved means forautomatically stopping and positioning the drop track section inalignment with the fixed track.

More particularly, the present invention aims to provide in connectionwith a drop track section, suspended by hoist cables, means for properlypositioning the drop track section as it approaches the fixed track andfor instantly stopping the drop track section in alignment with thefixedtrack without excessive shock to the hoisting mechanism.

A further object is to provide automatically operated means for blockingthe ends of the fixed track adjacent the drop track section whenever theY drop track section is moved out of alignment with the fixed track toprevent carriers running into the gap formed when the drop track sectionis lowered, the locking means being moved to inop- 5 erative positionwhen the drop track section is returned into alignment with the fixedtrack and further to provide automatically operated means on the droptrack section for holding a carrier thereon whenever the section islowered out of alignment with the fixed track, the releasing means onthe drop track section being released whenever the track section isreturned into alignment With the fixed track.

iVith the above and other objects inview the invention may be said tocomprise the device as illustrated .in the accompanying drawinghereinafter described and particularly set forth in the appended claims,together' with such variations and modifications thereof as will be`apparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention appertains.

Reference should be had to the accompanying vdrawings forming a part ofthis In the accompanying drawings, the invention is illustrated asapplied to a monorail track having spaced fixed rail portions 1 and avertically movable rail. section 2 which is adapted when in itsuppermost position to bridge the gap between the fixed rails 1 in orderto properly posit-ion the mov` able rail section, the ends 1a of thefixed rails 1 aretapered to engage the tapered ends 2t of the rail 2,the rails 1 being T- shaped in cross-section and therail 2 being in theform of an I-beam of considerably greater height than the rails 1, therails 1 having base fianges 1b over which the wheels of the carriers runand the rail 2 having base flanges 2b which when the rail 2 is in itsuppermost position, align with the flanges lb of the main track so thatcarriers can run across the drop trackV section. The ends of the fixedtrack 1 adjacent the gap in which the drop'track section is located, aresupported from an overhead frame comprising a pair of spaced channelbars 4 which are arranged back to back and extend across the gap betweenthe fixed track sections 1, the channel bars 4 being suspended by anglesuspension bars 5 which ydepend from` an overhead support 6 and the endsof the rails 1 being supported by hanger posts 7 which are secured attheir upper ends between the ends of the bars 4 and at their lower endsto the webs of the T-rails l. The drop section V2 is suspended by hoistcables 8 which lextend upwardly from opposite ends thereof over sheaves9 carried by brackets 10 secured to the supports 6 and thence tosuitable winding drums. The hoist cables 8 extend downwardly between thechannel bars 4 and associated with the hoist cables are pilot guideswhich serve to accurately position the drop section 2 in alignment withthe fixed track 1. The pilot guides comprise upward- Vly convergingsocket members 11 secured between the' bars 4 and upwardly extendingtapered projections 12 secured to the top of the drop section 2, thecables 8 being secured t0 thepl'ojections 12 and extending upwardlytherefrom through the hollow socket members 11 so that as the drop tracksection elevated by the cables the projections 12 will enter the socket'members 11. The ta pered projections 12 may be provided with externalgrooves 12" which cooperate with corresponding internal ribs 11 within.the socket members 11. The cooperating pilot guides 11 and 12 serve toaccurately position the drop section 2 in alignment with the fixed track1,1the projections 12 and sockets 1'1 heilig so positioned that when theprojections 12 are vin tull engagenient with the sockets 1l the flanges2" ot` the drop track section align with the flanges 1" ot the fixed`track. The proper positioning ot the drop track section is alsofacilitated by the tapered ends 1n and 2 ot the fixed track .and droptrack section. the inwardly inclined .ends 2 ot the drop track sectionengaging with the correspondinglj inclined ends 1a of' the fixed tracksections to guide the drop .ti-ack section into aligning position.

The socket members 11 form fixed stops which act to instantaneously stopthe drop track section in a position in which it aligns the fixed trackand, to avoid undue shock to the hoisting mechanism, icsilient connections are provided between the hoist cables S andthe drop track section.The tapered projections 12 are hollow and have openings 13 in theirupper ends through which the cables S extend, the lower ends of thecables having a sleeve 14 attached thereto upon which are mountedfashcrs 15 which are supported by nuts 1G upon the lower vends ot' thesleeves 1+ and a compressing coil spring 1T being interposed between thewasher 15 ot' each of the cables and the upper end of the hollowprojection 12. The lower end portions ot the cables and the springsupporting attachment thereon preferably project through openings in thetop ot' the section 2 and the web of the T-beain rail section is cutaway at 18 to accommodate the lower end ot the cable attachment. Thecable operating mechanism is preferably operated by an electric motorwhich is controlled by a limit switch having an arm 19 carrying a roller19n supported upon the underside ot the channel bars 4 and positioned tobe engaged by the top of the drop section 2 as the drop sectionapproaches its upper limit of movement, the drop section being carriedupwardly a short distance after the opening ot the switch by its ownmomentum. After the drop track section has been brought to a sudden stopby engagement. ot the projections 12 in the socket members 11, thehoisting mechanism will be permitted to have a slight additionalmovement ly reason of the yielding connection between the lower ends ofthe cable and the drop track section which will prevent injury to thehoisting mechanism such as might be occasioned by sudden stoppingthereof.

lt is desirable that means be provided for preventing carriers fromrunning off the ends of the fixed track section into the opening formedwhen the drop track section is lowered and to accomplish this resultthere is a stop member in the form of a T-bar 2() slidably mounted uponthe inner tace ot each of the hanger posts 'i'. The base oi each T-barstop 20 rests against the `face oi the postsl 'T and the bars are guided`for vertical sliding movement by means of guide plat, 21 secured to theposts and overlying the base flanges ot the bars 20. The webs 20 oil"the stop bars 2() project inwardly beyond the ends of the ,fixed rails`lv and are positioned in the path of movement of the drop section lVhenthe drop track section is lowered the stop bars 20 are held by gravityin engagement with the tops of the rails 1 and will be engaged by thewheels ot a carrier, thus preventing tbc carrier troni running otlf thccud ol a track. When the drop track section is elevated the endsthereof', as the .section approaches its up ermost position in alignmentwith the rails l` engage the projecting webs` 2b of the stop bars 20 andraise the stop bars to a position clear o l: the wheels of carrierstraveling on the tracks so that carriers may pass from the fixed tracksections 1 to the drop track section.

Means ari` also proviiiled for automatically retaining a carrier uponthe drop track section a't'tci' the drop track section has been loweredand this means consists of a pair of pivotcd gravity actuated stop bars22 at each end ot the section 2. The. bars 22 of each pair are pivotedon longitudinally dis posed pivot pins mounted upon the top of thesection 2 and below the pivot. Each of the bars is bent outwardly anddownwardly and provided with a widened lower end por tion whichv isnormally held by gravitv close to the web of the rail section 23nd iiithe path of movement of carrier wheels resting upon the flanges 2*.Above the pivot 22% each ol the arms 22 has an upwardly and outwardlyinclined portion 22" which extends to the opposite side of the pivotfrom the wheel engaging portion 22", the bars of each pair beingdisposed in crossed relation. As the drop section 2 ap preaches itsuppermost position the extending arms 22b ot the pivoted stop bars engage with the fixed channel bars et and are pushed downwardly withrespect to the sec tion 2 causing the wheel blocking portion 22a toswing outwardly far enough to clear the wheels ot the carriers. Then thedrop track section lowered out of alignment with the lixcd track thearms 22 are moved out of engagement' with the fixed bars al permittingthe blocking portion 22l to swing by gravity into :Wheel blockingposition,

jthis movement being assisted by a spring 2i connecting the arms beneaththe pivot.

Having describedlmy invention, I claim- 1. In a device of the characterdescribed, atrack having a gap therein, a fixed member above the gap, adrop `track section `adapted when in its uppermost position to bridgethe gap, and interfitting tapered projections and sockets on the tracksection and fixed member for aligning the drop track section with thefixed track.

2. In a device of the character described,

a fixed track, a drop track section movable into and out of alignmenttherewith, fixed tapered socket members above the drop track section,tapered projections on the drop track section adapted to fit in saidsockets, and hoist cables passing through said sockets and attached tosaid projections, said sockets cooperating with the projections to alignthe drop track section with the fixed track.

In a device of' the character described, a fixed track having a gaptherein, a fixed member above the gap, tapered sockets carried bythefixed member, a drop track s ection adapted when in its uppermostposition to bridge the gap and having tapered projections adapted to fitin the sockets, and hoist cables extendingthroiigh the sockets andconnected to the projections.

4. In a device of the character described, a fixed track having a gaptherein, a drop track rsection adapted when in its uppermost position tobridge saidgap, a fixed stop in thevpath of movement of the drop tracksection and adapted to stop the samein alignment with the fixed track,and hoisting mechanism having a yieldable connection to the drop tracksection adapted to absorb the momentum of the hoisting mechanism uponengagement of the drop track section with the fixed stop.

5. In a device of the character described, a fixed track having a gaptherein, a drop track section adapted when in its uppermost position tobridge said gap, a fixed stop in position to be engaged by the droptrack section in its upward movement, and adapted to stop the same inalignment with the fixed track, and motor operated hoisting mechanismincluding a suspension cable having a resilient connection to said droptrack section adapted to absorb the momentum of the hoistingr mechanismupon engagement of the drop track section with the fixed stop.

6. In a device of the character described` a fixed track, a drop tracksection adapted when in its uppermost position to align with the fixedtrack, a rigidly supported member above the drop track section, upwardlytapering socket members fixed to the rigid member, tapering projectionsfixed to the drop track sectionand projecting upwardly therefrom, saidprojections being engageable a fixed track having a gap therein, a drop,Y

track section adapted when in its uppermost position to bridge the gapinthe fixed track, hoisting `means connected to the drop track section,a fixed frame above the gap and extending across the same, postsconnecting said frame to the fixed track, vertically slidable stopmembers for blocking the fixed track mounted on the posts and havingparts projecting into the gap and adapted tobe engaged and lifted out ofoperative position by the drop track section as it approaches itsuppermost position, pivoted stop members at the ends of the drop tracksection which are normally held in blocking position, said pivoted stopmembers lhaving parts engageable with the fixed frame as the drop tracksection approaches its uppermost position to shift the same toinoperative position.

8. In a device of the character described, a track having a gap therein,a drop `track section adapted when in its uppermost position .to bridgethe gap in tlielfixed track` hoisting means connected to the drop tracksection, afixed frame above the gap and extending across the same,`posts connecting said frame to the fixed track, vertically slidable stopmembers for blocking the fixed track mounted on said posts and havingportions projecting into the gap and adapted to b e engaged and liftedout of operative position by the Vdrop track section as it approachesits uppermost position.

9. In a device of the character described, a monorail track having a gaptherein, a drop track section adapted when in its uppermost position tobridge the gap, a fixed member above the track and extendinglongitudinally thereof over the gap, hoisting means connected to thedrop track section, and a pair of stop members on the drop track sectionengageable with carrier wheels on opposite sides thereof, said stopmembers being pivoted to swing about an axis parallel with the tracksection and having portions below the pivots movable into and out of thepath of the carrier wheels and portions above the pivots engageable withthe fixed member.

10. In a device of the character described, a inonorail track having aVgap therein, a

drop track section adapted when in its uppermost position to bridge thegap, a pair of stop members on the drop track section pivoted to swingabout a pivot parallel with the longitudinal axis of the track sectionand directly above the same, said members having downwardly extendingportions movable toward and from opposite sides of the track sectioninto and out of' the path of the carrier on the said track section, eachstop member having a part extending upwardly from the pivot andoutwardly from the pivot, the upwardly and downwardly extending portionsof' each stop member be ing upon opposite sides of the pivot, a fixedmember above the gap in a position to be engaged by the upwardlyextending portions of the Stop members to shift the stop members out ofcarrier engaging position as the drop track section approaches itsuppermost position, and means for 'aising and lowcrlng the drop tracksection.

11. In a device of the character described, a track having a gaptherein, a drop track section adapted when in its uppermost posi f tionto bridge the gap` hoisting means for raising and lowering the droptrack section, a fixed stop with which the drop track section engages toposition the same in alignment with the fixed track, and means forcontrolling the hoisting means including a limit switch adapted to beopened by the drop track section prior to its engagement with the stopmember.

12. In aI device of the character described, a fixed t ack having a gaptherein` a drop track section adapted when in its uppermost position tobridge said gap, a fixed stop in the path of movement of the drop tracksection and adapted to stop the same in alignment with the fixed track,and hoisting mechanism for the drop track section including a suspensioncable, an electric motor for driving said mechanism and a limit switchfor the motor so positioned as to be actuated by the drop track sectionprior to the engagement of said section with the fixed stop.

13. In a device of the character described, a fixed track having a gaptherein, a drop track section adapted when in its upper most posit-ionto bridge said gap, a fixed stop in the path of movement of the droptrack section and adapted to sto i the same in alignment with the fixedtrack, hoisting mechanism for the drop track section including asuspension cable, an electric motor for driving said mechanism and alimit switch for the motor so positioned as to be actuated by the droptrack section prior to the engagement of said section with the fixedstop, and a spring connection between said suspension cable and droptrack see tion adapted to absorb thc momentum of the hoistingi'nechanism.

14. In a device of the character described`- a fixed track having a gaptherein, a drop track section adapted when in its uppcrmost position tobridge said gap, hoisting mechanism for the drop track section includinga suspension cable, and means to operate the cable, and means forlimiting swinging movements of the cable comprising a, fixed member overthe gap and adjacent thereto, said member having a restricted openingthrough which thc cable passes.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature.

EARL T` BENNING'ION.

